FROM STAFF REPORTS

As the year draws to a close, we take a look back at Helena’s biggest headlines of the past 365 days. Be sure to check back next week for part two of the year in review.

January

HES kids raise $600 to save puppies

HES students raise $600 to save four abandoned puppies.

February

City named safest in state

A national real estate blog named Helena one of the safest cities in Alabama.

Man charged in Papa Saia’s shooting case

A grand jury indicted 26-year-old Evan Taylor Burt on one felony count of making terrorist threats and one misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment in connection with an April 2014 shooting at Papa Saia’s in Helena.

March

A major clean-up

3,500 pounds of trash cleared in Buck Creek, Cahaba River as nearly 120 volunteers assisted in the Renew our Rivers Cahaba Clean-Up on March 14.

April

Grab a “Coal” one

Helena’s Coal Yard celebrates grand opening in Old Town Helena.

Frankie’s Market Café closes doors

A popular meat ‘n’ three restaurant that called Helena home for 13 years closes its doors permanently on April 19.

City celebrates history

Helena honors past at inaugural Helena Founder’s Day event.

May

Suspect charged in Helena shooting death

A 26-year-old Helena man is charged with capital murder.

Thousands enjoy Buck Creek Festival

Families from all over showed up for Helena’s biggest festival of the year at the two-day event known as the Buck Creek Festival.

Helena’s first class

About 190 seniors leave as first graduating class of Helena High School.

June

Rising from disaster

Dancing Daylily makes recovery almost a year after a plane crashed into the backyard of a Helena resident’s home. The garden made a full recovery after the crash initially caused extensive damage.